Bohlender Art

THE BRAVE AND FREE

Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of Shock and Awe. At the time, we were singing Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red White and Blue”, and our country was recuperating from 9-11-01. We were shaken, but we were proud of our men and women, who were keeping the war “over there”. I really didn’t have much of an idea of what they had to deal with then.

Recently, Tyler Vargas Andrews testified before congress of his experience at the Abbey Gate in the Afghanistan withdrawal.

To me, this man is a special kind of hero – along with those who have suffered for another and maybe on account of another… his tears reflect all the wounds of war and the weight of memory… so painful… yet he dares to stand in integrity and truth, like a lamp shining in a murky place, naturally exposing where darkness lies. To this man, and all the people represented thereby, there is much gratitude and respect.

Where the present darkness may temporarily abide in a form of power, Light shines through the darkness and the darkness cannot overpower it…

Here is a link to his testimony: https://taskandpurpose.com/news/marine-wounded-abbey-gate-afghanistan-withdrawal/

I have known several precious people who served in the middle east and in Viet Nam and paid such a price, speaking little or nothing of their experiences, yet the shadows of that experience affected every nook and cranny of their lives. They didn’t all have songs sung when they came home, we didn’t understand so much what they experienced, but in our heart they are honored and respected as we came to understand.

I value every tear they shed.

When the U.S. Embassy was vacated, some photos came out through the news mediums, not all were identified by the photographers. There was one photo of a service member holding the folded flag from the embassy close to himself, in the helicopter or airplane he was being evacuated in. What a tragic day. From this photo, I took a painting in sharing in that day with them.

The painting may not do his experience justice, but it included my prayers for those people that did have to experience such things. I thought about all that was folded in that flag and in his embrace of it.

There are more paintings taken from their experience when they were “over there”, each one a prayer, trusting God that these very special people would be safe in body, mind and spirit… a connection where I could share in their lives, hold them close somehow. I thought about these who served with their whole hearts, and what they were fighting for:

For each other and for us, and for our America.

This has been in my heart since I saw Mr. Vargas-Andrews testify. God bless him, God bless and heal all our serving ones, and God bless and keep our America.

“Let Music swell the breeze And ring from all the trees

Sweet Freedom’s Song:

Let mortal tongues awake, Let all that breathe partake;

Let rocks their silence break, the Sound prolong!

Our fathers’ God, to Thee, Author of Liberty, of Thee we sing:

Long may our land be bright

With Freedom’s holy light;

Protect us by Thy Might, Great God our King!”

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Father God, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus Name, Heal our serving ones, heal our Land. Glorify Your Name in America and all through the earth and the universe. Amen.

“PECAN HARVEST”

Posted on March 11, 2023March 11, 2023 by Bohlender Art in fine art, Oil painting, ravens, Uncategorized

I used to live where my kitchen window looked out onto a small grove of pecan trees. A metal shed was the backdrop to the grove.

I loved watching the birds through the seasons and times of wild fires or migrations. They’d flock to the trees and irrigation water. But the ravens would come exactly when the pecans were perfectly ripe. They are smart and diligent, able harvesters.

This painting is taken from a photo I took through my kitchen window during their happy harvest time. I have wanted to paint it for years, but I just now couldn’t resist the verticals supporting the swirl of the birds.

“Pecan Harvest” – 16″x 8″ – Oil – ©2023 Bohlender

Being a small piece, it went quickly, and using linseed makes it dry slower, but I loved the flowing of the paints.

I am hoping to do a series of verticals with a spattering of things like people, or other birds, or cows? Images must be consistent with those two elements.

Then again, landscapes are tempting as well. More relaxing work than portraits.

“GOOD OL’ BOY”

Posted on March 5, 2023March 5, 2023 by Bohlender Art in art, dogs, fine art, Oil painting, oil portrait

My daughter has a nice boy puppy, who’s been with her since he really was a puppy. He’s a big boy, a boxer, a protective dog and a brute if he doesn’t trust you. But he loves my husband and I.

He smiles when we come, and laughs and wags his whole body when we take him for a walk. We don’t get to see him often, once or twice a year since he was a little pup, but he remembers, and it is flattering really, to be liked so well by such a good ol’ boy.

Recently he got sick, but he pulled through. We were almost as happy as my daughter and her boys!

I painted him because the boys will remember their good friend, who lets them climb on him, who always walks into the room where they are, who was there before they were born, who protects them. He is getting to be an old good boy. Even though his growl is a little raspier than it used to be, he means business to strangers… but mostly in the loving business with the boys.

A friend indeed. A noble fellow. A good ol’ boy.

He was also walking by in the painting “Eyes On The Pies”.

“EYES ON THE PIES”

Posted on February 20, 2023 by Bohlender Art in art, children, children, dogs, family life, fine art, Grandchildren, joy, oil paiinting, oil portrait, Portrait, oil painting

The joys in life pile up daily, yet some spark love like lightning bolts.

When we went to visit the grandboys, I was able to bring a couple jars of my homemade apple pie filling. It sure made it easier to make the pies, and faster. I had pre-ground my flours for the crust as well, so all I had to do was add butter and water, mix and roll. I love my pie crust. So do the boys. I love those boys.

They were very interested in how to make an apple pie, and after this moment of filling, were happy to help spoon the apples into the crusts. And they sure do focus and take it all in. I hope I give them a good example of things.

My daughter took some photos of this time, and I based my painting from her photos. She has loving eyes.

“EYES ON THE PIES” – 22″x 28″ – Oil – ©2023 Bohlender

We all had great fun EATING the pies.

It was fun, too, that during that moment, their dog Onyx walked by in the background. I had to include Onyx. He has been in the family a long time. He’s a good boy, but he didn’t get any pie.

My greatest challenge in this piece was identifying the camera distortions in the resource photo, thereby straightening entryways and one of the boy’s heads was stretched and his body leaning too far, like he fell off the edge or something. I simplified a lot of things, and maximized the duo light source. The canvas used to have a desert landscape painted on it, and I left some of the nubbies from the mesquite scrub for interesting effects.

There might be a thing or two that might spring out at me that I will make minor adjustments to, but for now, I like this one as it is.

I just ordered more oil paint from Dick Blick’s. I’ve been shopping there for many years. Getting new paint is almost as good as apple pie.

Praise the Lord Jesus for His grace and love of mankind.

A BRIGHT OUTLOOK

Posted on January 30, 2023 by Bohlender Art in art, fantasy portraits, fine art, oil paiinting, oil portrait, Portrait, oil painting, raven

Walking through a St. Charles neighborhood, there were few places where houses were not dense enough to block the view. However, we kept walking around, discovering a park that was nice, but the best view was a vacant lot on a hill, where one could see the city beneath, over the rooftops of communities. We loved the view from that spot, (although we did not go up to the hill because it was marked as privately owned). A space with a view. That background is suggested here …though not detailed, the feeling is there. Space. A clear space. I love the feeling of freedom in open spaces.

The raven, of course, is Jack. He has never been to St. Charles except in our hearts, and our son has only been here once, except in our hearts. He was standing in his kitchen when I took the photo, with his cell phone. A view of sorts. He also has a pleasant outlook in his life now, and I find he and Jack have a great degree of intelligence and basic joy in their lives.

And since our son and our Jack the raven are some of my favorites, I saw no problem bringing all those pleasant attributes together into one painting, titled “A Bright Outlook”.

The painting is on a canvas with 2 other paintings under it, so it has the added interest of varied textures. It seems most of my life I have painted with some sort of green underpainting before a portrait, but for this one, I began with warm colors and stayed warm to go with his red hair. I use several brands of paint, recently enjoying “blue black” from Rublev and a Mussini “juane brilliant” as well as others beautiful colors. It’s fun to try new paints. Sometimes in working these days, I might forget what I’m doing a little bit or things like that, but I don’t worry about it like I used to.

Also, I discovered I have a tendency to use brushes down to their nubs. I don’t think I want to do that any more. It’s fun to have a nice new brush or two. Live it up.

THE GUIDING HAND

Posted on January 3, 2023 by Bohlender Art in art, children, fine art, Grace, Grandchildren, grapevines, miracles, Oil painting, oil portrait, Uncategorized

Grandpa tried throughout the summer to start a new little grapevine for Nio from his Concord grape vine. He thought about the sweet purple taste of the grape and how Nio would like it. He thought about sharing some things that he enjoyed very much with his grandson – gardening, sunshine, eating grapes off the vine.

All of his efforts failed, all his little cuttings died – except this one.

It was time to go visit and his grapevine was still very small and vulnerable. Well, he promised a grapevine to Nio (and you never break your promise to a child). He had to bring it.

Those fellows dug and dug out there in the backyard dirt, in a space where dad’s lawnmower would not be impeded. In fact, they had so much fun digging, they first dug a big hole – knee deep on Nio, and filled it with water. There is much fun playing in mud and holes.

Grandpa loves his grandboys.

Then they got down to business just a little ways from the hole they filled back in, so little brother wouldn’t fall in head first. Little brother also likes to tap a little bit firmly or pull things out of holes, and Nio was quite careful to protect his grapevine.

One may plant, one may water, but it is God who gives the increase… and miracles.

NOT GONE, JUST AWAY

Posted on December 23, 2022 by Bohlender Art in Cowboys, fine art, friendship, Oil painting, Portrait, oil painting, Uncategorized, watercolor painting, western art

Today I was remembering my friend Junior. Friends are rare, and good. Junior was a cowboy, I was empty nesting and mid-lifeing and everything that comes during that time. Junior and his wife blessed me so much then.

Everything I learned about cowboys, I learned from Junior. He took me out where the cowboys work, explaining what they do and how. He kept me from causing catastrophes while I was out there, and was responsible for allowing me the chance to paint the entire cowboy series from my experience there.

These are two images of paintings with Junior. He is wearing the black hat. The first one is entitled “Tellin’ A Windy”, and the second I can’t remember the title, but I consider it to be one of my apex pieces.

Some of what I learned about ranchers is that they are excellent stewards of both land and animals. And they love both.

Junior has been away now for 2 years. It seems awhile longer than that.

“Tellin’ A Windy” – 24″x20″ – Oil

And then,

Someone else who less personally had great influence in my life was Gene. Gene has recently gone “from breath to air”….

His books have contributed much to my life in the adventure of being in Jesus, of He in us, of His Presence and Livingness now. Church Life as being in Christ, experiencing Him, and sharing Him.

Church Life expressed practically through us, or “putting wheels on it”, Gene had much more to say about that than I could know. That, too, is arranged and fulfilled by Jesus’ Life in His people.

Some brothers must have enjoyed “Star Wars” along with Gene, as for a special event for his 60th birthday, one brother asked me to paint this for them. Captain and First Mate. So also I found it fun to place an altered version of the intro to the original Star Wars program, as Captain Gene may have told it:

Outside of time and space, the final Frontier
These are the voyages of the Ecclesia Enterprise
Her forever mission
To explore New Realms
To seek out His Life
And rest in His Love
To boldly go where Christ in you has gone before…

Well, maybe he would have said that a better way.

And below an image of some saints, sharing in the Love of our Jesus together, singing in a brotherly embrace… Gene was not a fan of pews.

Memories of people we love… remembering times with them. God is good. Whatever our lives are, it is given by God from His Love…

As far as new work goes, I am about half way through another episode of Grandpa and the Boys, this time, planting a baby grapevine together, in the dirt. Young boys and old boys love playing in dirt. If I don’t screw it up, it will be a good one. It is an oil, 28″x22″. And also, I am now working in chapter 20 of Acts. Lord give grace in all the work. Amen.

SPLIT SECOND BLESSING

Posted on December 8, 2022 by Bohlender Art in fog, photograph, ravens

Jack stopped down for a bit on his familiar rock, knowing there was something there to eat. The hawks were nowhere around, so he ate in comfort.

The morning was foggy, yet bright enough, showing Jack in a softer, misty contrast.

The timing was of the Lord. I was happy to get a photo of Jack like this. It truly was a split second blessing.

I cleverly titled it “Jack Eating in the Fog”. It is the first time seeing a raven’s tongue, and it ready to catch the food he just brought up in his bill in mid-air.

Fun.

I have begun a painting. More on that later.

“NEW IN TOWN” AND OLD DREAMS

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Bohlender Art in New York City, Times Square, Uncategorized, watercolor painting

Rudy Giuliani posted a short video of NYC today. I once stood, like many, in the same vantage point. It excited me to see, and reminded me of a painting I did in 2015. I visited my daughter, and she was the best of tour guides. It was one of the few times I was able to visit a city as a tourist, to see the sights… The Statue of Liberty, the 9-11 Memorial and Museum, Times Square, the Met…. wonderful experience. “New In Town” – Watercolor – ©2015

"New In Town" - Watercolor - ©2015Bohlender

I titled it “New In Town” partly because of my newness, but there is a woman pushing a baby buggy, a traveler bringing his suitcases, a very pregnant woman. There was so much going on, so much to take in at one time. It was exhilarating to remember the city, and doing the art.

There has remained a slight yearning in my heart to open a tiny gallery. I am the worst of business people, but would have a coffee pot there in my dreams. The gallery I was in closed several years back, and I refrained from finding another at the time. Also I live in a place with very limited traffic, and I drink my coffee while I paint or with my husband. Sometimes we consider moving, but it is something to long consider. So my dreams are safely tucked away, and they are not practical… a perhaps just a little in the realm of unreality. 🙂

Yet I was stirred by Mr. Giuliani’s video, and grateful I had a chance to see “the city”. It was a happy memory with someone I love in NYC, at Time’s Square.

I pray for peace in America, where we can walk as a free people, with hustle and bustle or in quiet and serenity… we have the freedom now to choose where we will be. There is freedom in Christ, to follow Him wherever He goes. Amen.

SEASONS AND POINT OF VIEW

Posted on September 19, 2022 by Bohlender Art in flowers, Grace, joy, photograph, seasons

I looked up while sitting at my kitchen counter eating apple pie. (It was very good pie.) The view from my slightly lowered vantage point through the kitchen window was awe inspiring to me, the greatness of the sky and monsoon clouds proudly declaring God’s glory.

It was lovely to see the tip-tops of the cosmos visible high as the window ledge…. with water drops still gracing their petals. Small flowers against such a vast sky, yet their presence is declared in pronounced joy.

There are times where they are scampering with bumble bees and butterflies.

Glory days, the ending of summer into autumn.

Then a morning seeing this sunflower, the last one braving the season’s changes. It too, being very small, with a very large proclamation. Keep seeking the Face of the Son.

Even when you seem to be in the dark spaces, keep your face toward the Son. His Grace is Sufficient.